Bob Menendez

So while I have a great affinity for Japan, I also want our people to be keeping abreast of what they are doing as it relates to what they may perceive as their national interests but may affect ours.

History has proven unequivocally that countries who share our values of human rights, democratic governance, fundamental freedoms, make more stable countries.

I believe leaving senior positions that require Senate-confirmed, empowered individuals vacant undermines the ability of the department to carry out its mission.

If you are being human trafficked by some slave trafficker, whether for sex or labor, you want somebody speaking out about human rights and democracy.

The United States has a national interest in freedom of navigation and overflight, respect for international law, unimpeded lawful commerce, and the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea.

I do hope that we will continue to promote the Taiwan Relations Act as the law of the land, as the essence of our relationship with Taiwan.

China from my perspective continues to enable North Korea's leaders to pursue destabilizing nuclear weapons.

The question is, what is your advocacy at a given point in time? Are these the essential programs that are necessary, as Secretary Mattis has said, that this is how we fight these ideologues?

I cannot emphasize it enough, because we need someone who has the moral clarity that Nikki Haley has.

Should we not consider giving China greater consequences so that they understand their calculus is wrong?

I too believe they have been a currency manipulator. They are not right now.

Our aspiration is for them to be an ally.

China is probably one of the most complex posts that anybody could ever be offered.

One of the hallmarks of my career has been human rights and democracy globally.

Sanctions can be a powerful tool in terms of a peaceful diplomacy arsenal.

In that context, it is the national interest and security of the United States that one would pledge fidelity to.

I think it might be the most important one.

We do have to realize that this is a war, that it is generational, and that you do have to employ all elements of national and international power.

We have to realize that this is a generational struggle.

I think that this is the moment from a global perspective that requires an enormous amount of American leadership.

But if we do not start down that journey--I admit that it is long. But if we do not start down that journey, then we are destined to ultimately live with the consequences.

Several years ago I made a speech, well before this time, that if we did not listen to the Arab street, we would live with the consequences of it.

By the end of last year, more than 31,000 people from at least 86 countries have migrated to ISIL-controlled lands, testifying to the global appeal of their extremist ideology.

As the new year approaches, we find ourselves 15 years removed from September 11th, 13 years from the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, five years from the turmoil of the Arab Spring, two years from Baghdadi's declaration of a caliphate…

What leverage do we really have? What are we doing here to Russia to change its calculation?